What great timing for this theme! My husband and I just got back from a road trip to Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone NP. In the U.S. we are celebrating the 100 year anniversary of a forward thinking decision to conserve these natural spaces for all to respect and enjoy. Every time I visit one of our National Parks I am awed by what I see.

I’ve always wanted to take the slow photos of running water. I bought a tripod. I slowed the shot down. I also got a darkening filter, which made all the difference. (I never knew they existed.) Here are 3 photos taken at the same time with different settings. Although the assignment was about motion, I noticed the color in the slow shots is a lot deeper and more balanced. I’m sure the darkening filter had a lot to do with it.

If you are interested in settings, click on a photo and they will show up on the slideshow.

I used to have a Pentax MX – totally manual. I used to understand the relationship between aperture and shutter speed. Since getting my DSLR, I’ve been pretty lazy in letting the camera do all the work. I’m just now relearning these things, and it’s a steep learning curve.

Leading lines? Not sure I have the concept down when it comes to nature.

Do these work as leading lines? Stairs going up a hill

Man-made leading lines

More of the stream

Close up of oxalis

I loved the water droplets on the plants

Focusing on taking these pictures caused me to stop and notice all of the new growth.

The rain let up and I was able to head to the county park to take some nature shots. I’m not sure I have the leading lines idea down when it comes to nature, or at all. I’ve taken these type of shots before just because I liked the way they looked. I think I like the idea of perspective from my art class days. I’ll be looking for leading lines now. (Click on any photo to see a slide show.)